LG has announced the new LG LRM-519 Digital Media Recorder with Microsoft Program Guide which uses the Microsoft Media Center Extender platform. Up until now, Media Center Extender hardware have strictly been systems that act as client hardware to Media Center PC's. An MCX system just provided a way to network an MCE across multiple rooms without actually having an MCE in every room. Nice idea but it didn't really catch on.

However with the LG LRM-519, LG actually makes the platform useful by integrating a DVR component into it - allowing users to record video onto a large 160GB hard drive. This means the unit can record up to 90 hours of video! There's even a built in dual layer DVD drive which allows users to record prerecorded materials onto DVD±R, DVD±RW, and DVD+R Double Layer media formats.

You can still connect to MCE systems on your local network as well as play back audio and image files stored on optical media. The only downside is the price - the unit is slated to cost around 600 dollars AND you'll have to pay for the Microsoft Electronic Programming Guide which is normally free for MCE systems. The guide will cost you $250 for a one time fee, $100 for a one year fee or $10 a month.

Via InfoSyncWorld. You can find more information at LG's Website.